STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 238, 28 December 1927, Page 15

STRAND

“BEN-HUR” No holiday visitor to Auckland during the festive season should miss seeing “Ben-Hur,” which is screening at the Strand Theatre. That it is still attracting huge crowds at every screening is striking evidence of the brilliance and wonderful popularity of this screen masterpiece. The picture begins with a simiplicity that is disarming, yet attractive. Revenge is sought by Ben-Hur for the injustice done him and his house by the Romans when the new senator, Valerius Gratus, is entering Jerusalem. Making his triumphal way along the streets, a tile accidentally falls from Ben-Hur’s palace, and strikes the senator on the head. Ben-Hur is sent to the tortures of the galleys, and his mother and sister are cast into the dungeons of Antonia. In a fight at sea BenHur escapes, and soon gains great power and wealth. He never forgets his purpose, and returns to Jerusalem to seek his mother and sister, and to obtain revenge. In a wonderful and spectacular chariot race, Ben-Hur defeats the Senator Messala, who is killed. Ramon Novarro, as Ben-Hur, gives a very fine portrayal of the part. May McAvoy is most appealing in the role of heroine. Francis X. Bushman is superb as Messala, that haughty and villainous Roman. The Strand Symphony Orchestra, under the conductorship of Eve Bentley, gives brilliant assistance to the production, and render the original musical score played at the world premiere of this masterpiece. Preceding the great photoplay “BenHur” is an atmospheric prologue.' Mr. Birrell O’Malley, the well-known Auckland singer, sings as the solo, “The Star of Bethlehem.”